Nigerian President: Security forces killed over 13,000 terrorists in 2025

Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced that security forces "neutralized" more than 13,000 terrorists in 2025, vowing to use the full force of the state to combat the problem. The president made these remarks during a televised national address on Nigeria's Democracy Day, commemorating the restoration of democracy in 1999.

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More than 13,000 terrorists were neutralized last year.

Tinubu highlighted that counter-terrorism operations have successfully dismantled the command center of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Arege, Borno state. He also reported an 81% reduction in terrorism-related deaths since 2015. The president emphasized that his administration "keeps the door open" for surrenders, noting that over 124,000 combatants and their dependents have laid down arms since 2023 through Operation Safe Corridor.

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Over 124,000 combatants and dependents have laid down their arms since 2023.

Addressing "bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terrorism," Tinubu issued a stern warning: "Surrender or face the full weight of the Nigerian State's law. These opportunities to surrender will not remain open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who traffic in the blood of Nigerians." He urged citizens to unite against the country's "enemies," stating that "democracy without security is not strong enough." The president expressed confidence in triumphing over terrorism and continuing to build a more prosperous nation.

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Surrender or face the full weight of the Nigerian State's law. These opportunities to surrender will not remain open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who traffic in the blood of Nigerians.

In response to a wave of mass kidnappings, Tinubu's government declared a "security emergency" last November and approved the recruitment of over 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military recruits. The 2026 defense and security budget has reached 5.41 trillion naira (3.4 billion euros), marking the largest allocation in the nation's history. The article also notes that some Nigerian states, particularly in the center and northwest, face constant attacks from "bandits", criminal groups often labeled as "terrorists" by authorities, while the northeast grapples with violence from Boko Haram and its splinter group, ISWAP, since 2009.

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Democracy without security is not strong enough.